malene b Launches Custom Handmade Carpets Company and Web Sitefrom Hotel World Networkmalene b, designer of custom handmade carpets that pay homage to world art, nature and global lifestyles, has established her new company and has launched a Web site, www.maleneb.com. malene b is a Brooklyn, N.Y., based African-American carpet designer with a multi-disciplinary background in textile arts, painting and illustration. Her unique, handmade carpets, inspired by her international travels, boldly interpret cultural icons, landscapes and rituals in an entirely fresh and personal way. More

Starchitect David Adjaye Sees Reversal of Fortunefrom ARTINFOCelebrated Ghanaian-born, London-based architect David Adjaye, whose international design practice boasts a list of clients and collaborators ranging from the Nobel Foundation to Brad Pitt, could be paying a heavy price for the rapid expansion of his business in recent years. Adjaye Associates is now one step away from liquidation, as a result of the cancellation or postponement of four projects in locations ranging from Birmingham, England, to Kuala Lumpur. More

At White House, First Lady Honors Design Innovatorsfrom The New York TimesThe first lady, Michelle Obama, celebrated the nation's innovators in architecture, interior design, fashion, landscaping and other design-related fields, honoring the 10 recipients of the National Design Awards at the White House. Obama heralded the designers of a waterfront park in New York City, a six-million-square-foot development in Singapore, the first laptop computer and the digital technology used by TV networks to cover the 2008 presidential campaign, among others. More

Fashion/ Apparel Design

Shaka King Summerfrom DC Men's Style ExaminerWith summer about to become a distant memory like a childhood crush, designers are scurrying to sell off their remaining summer wares. Menswear designer, Shaka King returns to the D.C. area to present his summer '09 collection, 'Zen II.' King's line offers clothing with varied influences ranging from the 1940's jazz movement to old black & white photography. King has also been known to pay homage to his African-American roots with ethnic inspired infusions in his designs. More

The Verdict Is In: Pajama Shirtsfrom VogueWe've all heard of day-to-night clothes—pieces that can take you from the office to cocktails. But what about night-to-day? That’s where pajama-inspired shirts come in. If you bought one of Dolce & Gabbana's this spring, you got a head start on the look. More

Swagger Like Hers: Rip the Runway in Balenciagafrom Essence MagazineTop black model Liya Kebede struts her stuff down the Balenciaga's fall 2009 runway show in Paris. Creative Director Nicolas Ghesquiere took the historically rich house in an austere direction for the coming season working in draping, soft floral prints and well tailored suits. Balenciaga holds a special place in the heart of many fashionistas and is a favorite of starlets like Kerry Washington, Beyoncé, Rihanna and model Chanel Iman. More

Graphic Design/Visual Communication

The Salacious Story Behind Facebookfrom NewsweekIn "The Accidental Billionaires," author Ben Mezrich takes the story of the founding of Facebook —back at Harvard in 2004—and weaves it into a story full of sex, betrayal, and the hunt for the venture capital that currently keeps the site afloat. To write the story, Mezrich spoke with former classmates (and some enemies) of Mark Zuckerberg, the young entreprenuer who founded Facebook five years ago. Unsurprisingly, it's a book that the company and Zuckerberg are staying far away from; they didn't speak to Mezrich, and journalists writing about Facebook are (politely) asked not to broach the topic. More

Companies Count on Growth of Mobile Bankingfrom NPRBanks and other financial companies have their eye on your mobile phone. Now that 87 percent of people in the U.S. are carrying cell phones, big companies like MasterCard believe mobile banking could experience significant growth. Outside of the U.S., millions of people already use their cell phones to transfer money, pay bills and even buy products at a store. The concept just hasn't caught on in the U.S. More

Industrial/Product Design

Mattel's McBride Designs New Black Doll Linefrom BETMove over Disney, you’re not the only company on the block with a new black character. On the heels of the successful first black sorority doll, Alpha Kappa Alpha Barbie, Mattel is back with a new line of African-American dolls called "So In Style (S.I.S)." This new line – the brainchild of Mattel Project Designer, Stacey McBride (also the designer of the AKA Barbie) – is said to be the first of its kind. McBride saw a need in the marketplace for more dolls of color that celebrate diversity while encouraging positive role models. More

Robot Hummingbird Designed for Spyingfrom designboomResearchers have created a small robotic drone that flies and looks a humming bird. The new robot was developed by aerovironment, backed by DARPA, a division of the U.S.pentagon. The robot is to be used for spying, using the bird-like design as a way to conceal its purpose. Although the bird has only been able to fly for 20 seconds. More

Announcements/Special Events

Mentors for Young Inventors and Designers

WGBH, Boston’s public broadcasting station, and the Lemelson Foundation are launching an exciting new program, Mentors for Young Inventors, in Boston and Indianapolis this fall. We are looking for engineers/scientists/architects/designers and undergraduate students, who are willing to serve as mentors for children.

This pilot program will place engineers/scientists/architects/designers and undergraduate students in after-school programs once a week during the 2009-2010 school year. Working with a group of kids (ages 10-11), the co-mentors will use a stepped-out curriculum that inspires youth to explore invention.

We are particularly interested in recruiting minority mentors since the after-school youth come from diverse backgrounds.

By spending just a few hours of time per week, mentors can expose a roomful of children to the rewards of innovation and exploration. As mentors they will:

OBD announces DesignTravelers.com, OBD's official Web site for all of your travel needs.

Through our new partnership with Rovia you are guaranteed the absolute lowest price for your reservations. If you find a lower price anywhere else, contact the number located on the pricing page or go to the chat button and discuss your fare differential. It will be matched or bettered.

Airline, Hotel, Car Rental, Cruise reservations, Vacations, and Special Activities, like Honeymoon and Wedding packages. See the Honeymoon and Bridal Registry. It is full of great features.

Want to plan a design culture trip to Rome, Paris, Brazil or anywhere else in the world? Contact OBD at 202-659-3918 and we will help you with your travel and event planning. From itinerary, to resort or hotel reservations.

And once you use our PowerSearch fare and reservation finder you will be using the most advanced new platform for booking and travel sales. PowerSearch has been developed by veterans with over 24 years of experience in the travel industry.

This new platform with its proprietary booking engine takes destination travel to the next generation and further. It searches every available fare to give you the most comprehensive fare and reservation options possible.

And now the good part. A percentage of your travel dollar will be donated to the OBD Scholarship Initiative. So what are you waiting for? Go to www.DesignTravelers.com today to make your next travel reservations.